Monroe, La. - The Southern Miss women's golf squad is tied for the lead at the ULM Fred Marx Invitational, hosted by Louisiana-Monroe and played at the par-72, 6,114-yard Bayou DeSiard Country Club.

The Lady Eagles are 17-over par, tied with McNeese State.

Southern Miss opened with a first round 292, which set a new school record, besting the previous record of 293 that was set twice. The Black and Gold followed that with a 301 in the second round to set a new school 36-hole record of 593.

"The girls played great today," said head coach Julie Gallup. "They were extremely focused and determined. We had some hiccups along the way, but they bounced back completely. They have been working really hard on their games and it has been showing. I'm really proud of them."

Junior Brandi Rodriguez leads Southern Miss as she is tied for third-place at even-par, one shot off the lead. She opened with a 73 and followed with a 71, which tied a career-best. Her 36-hole score of 144 also tied a career-best, and her 71 is her fifth career round of par or better, which set a new Southern Miss record.

Freshman Juliana Herrera carded consecutive 73's, both season-best's, to sit in seventh-place at two-over par. Senior Vicky Correa is tied for 17th-place at six-over par after posting 72-78. Her round of 72 is the fourth round of par or better in her career.

Sophomore Sarah Hicks, playing in her first match of the season, is tied for 27th-place after rounds of 74 and 79, and junior Kaylee Random shot rounds of 81 and 85 to tie for 76th-place.

Lamar's Julie Aime and Katy Kile of Houston Baptist are tied for the individual lead at three-under par, one shot ahead of Rodriguez and McNeese State's McKayla Anderson.

The tournament concludes tomorrow with the final round, beginning at 8:30 a.m.